Kia India has expanded its popular MPV lineup
by introducing a new CNG variant of the Kia Carens. The ex-showroom
starting price for this variant is ₹11.77 lakh, making the Carens CNG a
strong value proposition for families seeking fuel-efficient large vehicles.
According to reports, this variant is based on the Premium (O) trim of the
Carens.
Pricing and
Variant Details
The Carens CNG is priced at ₹11.77 lakh
(ex-showroom). The base Petrol version of the Carens Premium (O) MT is priced
at ₹10.99 lakh. The additional cost to opt for the factory-fitted CNG kit is
therefore ₹77,900. The kit is reportedly developed by Lovato and comes with a
warranty of three years or up to 1 lakh km.
Features
and Interior Highlights
The Carens CNG retains all the features of the
Petrol Premium (O) trim. These include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment
system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system additionally
displays tank-level, range estimation, and instant fuel-economy when running in
CNG mode—enhancing the usability for CNG owners.
The cabin also features ventilated front
seats, automatic climate control, keyless entry with burglar alarm,
electrically adjustable ORVMs with LED turn indicators, and rear-view camera
with dynamic guidelines. For rear passengers, amenities include sunshade
curtains, manual driver seat-height adjustment, and five USB Type-C ports
across the rows.
Safety and
Equipment
Safety is a strong suit of the Carens:
standard across the variant are six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction
control, brake assist, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), downhill brake
control, hill-assist control (HAC), dynamic brake control (DBC), all-wheel disc
brakes, high-line TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), ISOFIX anchor points
and rear parking sensors. This makes the Carens CNG one of the best-equipped
CNG MPVs from a safety perspective.
Engine and
Performance
Under the hood, the Carens CNG uses the same
1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 115 bhp and
approximately 144 Nm of torque paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. In CNG
mode, power and torque are expected to be slightly lower, though Kia has not
released official figures yet. The car incorporates a factory-fitted CNG kit
with a bi-fuel (petrol + CNG) capability, facilitating smooth switching between
fuel modes. According to estimates, the Carens CNG could deliver around 23-24
km/kg in CNG mode.
One limitation to note: the CNG variant
currently does not offer an automatic transmission option—only the manual
gearbox is available.
Strategic
Implications for Buyers
For families seeking a 7-seater vehicle with
lower running costs, the Carens CNG presents an attractive option. With rising
petrol prices, the CNG variant offers a cost-efficient alternative without
compromising on space, safety and features. Compared with rivals, this launch
helps Kia strengthen its offering in the CNG-MPV segment, competing directly
with models like the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG.
However, buyers will need to consider the
additional upfront cost for the CNG kit, limited to manual transmission and the
availability of CNG infrastructure in their city or route.
Conclusion
The Kia Carens CNG is a timely launch,
aligning with both cost-sensitive consumer needs and India’s push for
alternative fuels. With its strong feature list and safety credentials, the
Carens CNG may well become a preferred family MPV for Indian buyers looking to
balance performance, practicality and running-cost efficiency. For those
comfortable with manual transmission and residing in areas with reliable CNG
supply, this variant offers a compelling proposition.
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